A lot of bombastic noise and silly action as Discovery doges through a broken asteroid...not a great bit of story telling.

For the main part though we have Burnhams character reminiscing on her broken relationship with Spock...I’d have been shocked, in truth, if her relationship with him didn’t bring more misery to the show. Happy isnt an emotion that Burnham is familiar with.

There’s a decent show trying to break through here but the miserable self-righteous Burnham and her preaching sucks every ounce of joy from the show every time she appears.

Thank God for Pike...not too impressed with the shoe-horning in of the fortune cookie foreshadowing “The Cage” though. Subtle that wasn’t and it felt totally unnecessary.

A lot of bombastic noise and silly action as Discovery doges through a broken asteroid...not a great bit of story telling.

For the main part though we have Burnhams character reminiscing on her broken relationship with Spock...I’d have been shocked, in truth, if her relationship with him didn’t bring more misery to the show. Happy isnt an emotion that Burnham is familiar with.

There’s a decent show trying to break through here but the miserable self-righteous Burnham and her preaching sucks every ounce of joy from the show every time she appears.

Thank God for Pike...not too impressed with the shoe-horning in of the fortune cookie foreshadowing “The Cage” though. Subtle that wasn’t and it felt totally unnecessary.

I really enjoyed it. I agree that Anson Mount was great as Pike.

I actually took the fortune cookie to hint at a return for Lorca in some form. I think in 'the menagarie' at Spocks trial he says the events happened 13 years earlier so if Discovery is 10 years before 'The Cage' has already happened.

I thought it was a great opener. It had some great character moments and humour. It reminded me of the fun the JJverse characters had in their first outing. It had something of the exploration feel of Star Trek of old and the ethos of Starfleet. Sets up a couple of mysteries. Very well paced throughout. Action packed, and yet had time for characters to come through, and even introduce the bridge crew. The only gloomy character was Michael Burnham.

Where's Michael? Michael you are impressive. Thank god you were here Michael. Hey Mr Random character, you aren't as good as Michael. Michael, your great. Michael, you have more skills than anyone else and we are going to act a little stupid just to make you look even better. Michael, you are always right.

Long and short of it is the Michael worship was on overload in this episode, so much so that I'm starting to actively dislike the character. She's turned into Poochie from The Simpsons. And it's a shame because SMG is a good actress, but the character has turned into Janeway on speed (Janeway was often written as superior to everyone else including experts in their respective fields).

Where's Michael? Michael you are impressive. Thank god you were here Michael. Hey Mr Random character, you aren't as good as Michael. Michael, your great. Michael, you have more skills than anyone else and we are going to act a little stupid just to make you look even better. Michael, you are always right.

Long and short of it is the Michael worship was on overload in this episode, so much so that I'm starting to actively dislike the character. She's turned into Poochie from The Simpsons. And it's a shame because SMG is a good actress, but the character has turned into Janeway on speed (Janeway was often written as superior to everyone else including experts in their respective fields).

I think it was a reference to "The Cage" (well the Menagerie really) as it's the only adventure we've seen Pike in.

As @Bone, said. The events in the first pilot (The Cage as it's become known - the events shown in flashback in The Menagerie) have already happened, about 3 years before.

Not exactly a reason for it not to be a reference to The Cage. but if that's all it is, it has no dramatic purpose, as it doesn't lead anywhere, plotwise.

One of the faults of the worst Star Trek novels, was that they often had characters stopping and musing things like "Hmm, that reminds me of the time when we..." and that's it. The information isn't used in the plot. Just a bit of nostalgia for the fans.

Where's Michael? Michael you are impressive. Thank god you were here Michael. Hey Mr Random character, you aren't as good as Michael. Michael, your great. Michael, you have more skills than anyone else and we are going to act a little stupid just to make you look even better. Michael, you are always right.

Long and short of it is the Michael worship was on overload in this episode, so much so that I'm starting to actively dislike the character. She's turned into Poochie from The Simpsons. And it's a shame because SMG is a good actress, but the character has turned into Janeway on speed (Janeway was often written as superior to everyone else including experts in their respective fields).

I think it was a reference to "The Cage" (well the Menagerie really) as it's the only adventure we've seen Pike in.

As @Bone, said. The events in the first pilot (The Cage as it's become known - the events shown in flashback in The Menagerie) have already happened, about 3 years before.

But not The Menagerie and Pike being trapped in his own mind which seemed to be what the message was suggesting. That's the in-joke/reference that I took from it anyway (well, once I was reassured where Michael was )

Where's Michael? Michael you are impressive. Thank god you were here Michael. Hey Mr Random character, you aren't as good as Michael. Michael, your great. Michael, you have more skills than anyone else and we are going to act a little stupid just to make you look even better. Michael, you are always right.

Long and short of it is the Michael worship was on overload in this episode, so much so that I'm starting to actively dislike the character. She's turned into Poochie from The Simpsons. And it's a shame because SMG is a good actress, but the character has turned into Janeway on speed (Janeway was often written as superior to everyone else including experts in their respective fields).

I think it was a reference to "The Cage" (well the Menagerie really) as it's the only adventure we've seen Pike in.

As @Bone, said. The events in the first pilot (The Cage as it's become known - the events shown in flashback in The Menagerie) have already happened, about 3 years before.

But not The Menagerie and Pike being trapped in his own mind which seemed to be what the message was suggesting. That's the in-joke/reference that I took from it anyway (well, once I was reassured where Michael was )

Sorry, I was editing as I thought of more things.

The other thing is that this was in Lorca's ready room. And Pike ended up on Talos IV as a way to give him a life, not as a trap.

I guess we'll find out soon enough whether it's for anything in the plot.

It's very cinematic. The line between TV and cinema is blurring. I enjoyed it. More humour than the first series plus they listened to the fans and introduced the bridge crew! I like the reference to "The Cage". I don't think it's important plot wise, just a nod to fans.

It's very cinematic. The line between TV and cinema is blurring. I enjoyed it. More humour than the first series plus they listened to the fans and introduced the bridge crew! I like the reference to "The Cage". I don't think it's important plot wise, just a nod to fans.

One thing I have noticed (not here btw) there are some you tube streamers doesnt matter what they see
will never be happy, Having a few niggles fair enough but some of them seriously just need to stop watching,
Agree totally about the Cinematic feel and more interaction with the Bridge crew etc, Was really lacking in season 1.

That gave me hope for season 2. It wasn't perfect, but there was a general sense of fun and joy that season 1 lacked. One of the things I didn't like about S1 was that it just seemed to be carbon-copying the "dark, gritty sci-fi" formula and everyone was needlessly bitchy and in each others faces for no other reason than to force character tension. That all seems to be gone and its all the better for it.

I do agree with those saying that Bernham sucks all the life out the scenes and the "Bernham is perfect" statements were on overload. I loved Sonequa on Walking Dead, so I know she can both act and has more charisma than she is showing in Discovery. I can only put it down to a creative decision to make her like this.

One other thing I'll put in spoilers as it was in the season trailer and some people might avoid that;

Did I actually see a shot of Michael and Spock snogging? I had this weird feeling throughout the episode that they were creating this sexual tension about why her and Spock weren't on speaking terms any more and I was just praying it was all in my mind. Then I'm positive I saw a brief shot of them kissing in the trailer. OH, please don't let them go that route. I know they're foster siblings and all, but the idea of Spock having an illicit affair with his foster sister is not the sort of backstory I really want added to his character, nor is a storyline I particularly want to watch.

Someone please tell me I saw it wrong and at least one of them was a different character. I can't believe anyone would have sat down and let that go past an initial suggestion, let alone having enough higher-ups go "yeah, now that's definitely a good idea."

I'm going to have to watch this again because I fell asleep after 20 minutes, it was that riveting.

What I did notice though was the constant background music drowning out the dialogue. I mean, original Trek had background music - very excellent music - but I don't remember it ever meandering away aimlessly with no discernable rhyme or reason.

From what I do remember of the episode then... everything all on one note... no highs or lows... just a melange of shiny pictures.... eeeuuurrrggghhhh

I'm pretty sure the aspect ratio has changed - Season 1 was full screen, Season 2 opener had black bars.

Yes, it's changed to a wider, more cinematic aspect ratio for season 2, which means in practice, on 16:9 displays, the letterbox black bars are deeper. You're actually getting less visible picture on a TV this way as more screen area is "wasted" in the black bars, but it looks cinematic.

I wonder whether they've changed the cameras and/or used different anamorphic lenses for this season for the wider aspect ratio?

Did I actually see a shot of Michael and Spock snogging? I had this weird feeling throughout the episode that they were creating this sexual tension about why her and Spock weren't on speaking terms any more and I was just praying it was all in my mind. Then I'm positive I saw a brief shot of them kissing in the trailer. OH, please don't let them go that route. I know they're foster siblings and all, but the idea of Spock having an illicit affair with his foster sister is not the sort of backstory I really want added to his character, nor is a storyline I particularly want to watch.

Someone please tell me I saw it wrong and at least one of them was a different character. I can't believe anyone would have sat down and let that go past an initial suggestion, let alone having enough higher-ups go "yeah, now that's definitely a good idea."

I really enjoyed this. A totally different feel to season 1 and much lighter in tone. The lift scene was very funny and Linus did that on purpose, much to Burnhams smile and amusement. Loved the introduction of the bridge crew and their giggles at Tilley and Pikes interaction. And the CGI looked amazing. Cinematic even. Looking forward to the next.

I rather enjoyed it. Treating the subject with what looks like it is going to be a lighter touch (and more in Star Trek tradition) is a move in the right direction, I think. At least with Discovery, the special effects are what Star Trek should always have had in an ideal world. The technology and budgets available to previous series made that impossible. I am not among those who criticise Sonequa Martin-Green for being dour and humourless. The character was brought up as a Vulcan, so it is actually in keeping. I remember commenting in the first season how she sometimes moved rather robotically. That no longer applies. Perhaps that is intentional as her regular interaction with humans has brought out more of the human within her.

On the aspect ratio, I am intrigued at how many series made for TV are now employing 2.39:1. The concept was invented back in 1928 when Andre Chretien patented his anamorphic lenses, which became CinemaScope when 20th Century Fox bought them from him in 1953. Then, it was a method of enlarging the picture because the masking would sweep aside to reveal a much wider screen with correspondingly more dramatic aspect. Nowadays, however, screen masking is becoming less and less common as many cinemas have unmasked screens, and show 'Scope films letterboxed, just like TV. As a poster previously pointed out, this actually makes the picture smaller. It still looks really cinematic, though, especially if your TV is on the large side.

The season opener shows they're actively making changes from the first time around. The crew are being better represented.. The roll call and each naming themselves, the two women in charge of the rapid descent. It was great.

Someone said they were falling asleep.. What utter tosh and nonsense. It was absolutely riveting and cinematic as hell. If it continues at this pace, with the same level of effects, then I truly think it'll be among the top of the franchises. It's already better than Enterprise and Voyager.

I actually think that Enterprise proved that the old Star Trek format wasn't working for a modern TV audience. It was absolutely cack.

I'm delighted they changed it. I'm delighted it's going this was. And long may it last.

Actually... A random thought.

In one shot they showed a person who was in a wheelchair. Sure, they probably needed it be more inclusive and dynamic, but in the universe of the show, it just didn't make a lot of sense. They can fix a badly broken leg in two hours. Surely they would have solved the issues that caused someone to be confined to a chair.

Did I actually see a shot of Michael and Spock snogging? I had this weird feeling throughout the episode that they were creating this sexual tension about why her and Spock weren't on speaking terms any more and I was just praying it was all in my mind. Then I'm positive I saw a brief shot of them kissing in the trailer. OH, please don't let them go that route. I know they're foster siblings and all, but the idea of Spock having an illicit affair with his foster sister is not the sort of backstory I really want added to his character, nor is a storyline I particularly want to watch.

Someone please tell me I saw it wrong and at least one of them was a different character. I can't believe anyone would have sat down and let that go past an initial suggestion, let alone having enough higher-ups go "yeah, now that's definitely a good idea."

In one shot they showed a person who was in a wheelchair. Sure, they probably needed it be more inclusive and dynamic, but in the universe of the show, it just didn't make a lot of sense. They can fix a badly broken leg in two hours. Surely they would have solved the issues that caused someone to be confined to a chair.

Pike ends up in a wheelchair in TOS. Its was probably an easter egg related to that (which also proves there are conditions in the 23rd century that can confine you to a wheelchair)